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A sinuous Polynesian dance, the hula combines undulating movement of the hips and mimetic hand gestures. The dance is often accompanied by chants, drumming, and music played on instruments such as the ukulele. Originally a religious dance performed to praise the chiefs, contemporary hulas tell a story or describe a place, and are danced exclusively by women. The costume typically includes a raffia skirt with a lei (garland) around the neck.
Examples of hula in a Sentence
Catherine Holecko, Parents, 16 July 2024
Flowers at the Old Lahaina Luau, which infuses history, music, food, and ancient dance and hula to to tell the story of Hawaii.
—John Wogan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2024
Be sure to catch renowned hula dancer Kanoe Miller (a regular at the hotel since 1977), who appears most Fridays and Saturdays; her graceful performances are mesmerizing.
—Gillian G. Gaar, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2024
Their reward included the sight of a drone hula dancer shimmying her hips and a drone fisherman pulling a fish out of the water, among other images.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
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“Hula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hula. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hula
noun
from Hawaiian (Indigenous language of Hawaii)
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